Big Swimmer


Big Swimmer is the second studio album by King Hannah, an English music duo of Hannah Merrick and Craig Whittle. It was released on 31 May 2024 through City Slang. Sharon Van Etten provided guest vocals on the songs "Big Swimmer" and "This Wasn't Intentional". The album received universal acclaim from critics.

Background

Hannah Merrick and Craig Whittle formed King Hannah in 2017. The duo's debut studio album, I'm [Not Sorry, I Was Just Being Me], was released in 2022. They then toured across the world, which would become a source of inspiration for their second studio album, Big Swimmer. Ali Chant produced the album. Sharon Van Etten provided guest vocals on the songs "Big Swimmer" and "This Wasn't Intentional". Music videos were released for "Big Swimmer", "Davey Says", and "New York, Let's Do Nothing".

Critical reception

Marcy Donelson of AllMusic commented that "While Big Swimmer isn't especially hooky or melodic or cathartic, it is mesmerizing, and performed with an actor's command of an audience, a playwright's turn of phrase, and an expert sense of guitar tones -- as well as an enviable, intangible coolness." Patrick Gill of PopMatters stated, "On Big Swimmer, King Hannah take another step forward in their songwriting and even production, which is of higher fidelity than previous records." Andy Von Pip of Under the Radar called the album "a solidification of their oeuvre, brimming with confidence as Whittle's gritty, coruscating guitar riffs perfectly illuminate Merrick's often opaque yet playful poetic lyrics, often delivered with a laconic drawl." He added, "The album boasts a widescreen musical style, executed with flair and panache."

Personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes.
  • Hannah Merrick – vocals, synthesizer, guitar, additional guitar
  • Craig Whittle – guitar, vocals, synthesizer, piano, keyboards
  • Conor O'Shea – bass guitar, keyboards, piano
  • Jake Lipiec – drums
  • Sharon Van Etten – vocal harmonies
  • Ted White – additional synthesizer
  • Ali Chant – additional guitar, vibraphone, production, recording, mixing
  • Niklas Lueger – engineering
  • Sarah Register – mastering